Hibiscus plant named ‘RHEA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hibiscus  plant named ‘Rhea’, characterized by its upright, mounding and bushy plant habit; dark green-colored leaves; uniform and freely flowering habit; large bright orange-colored flowers with dark red-colored centers; excellent flower longevity; and relative resistance to bacterial leafspot.

Botanical designation: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

Cultivar denomination: ‘RHEA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscusplant, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, and hereinafterreferred to by the name ‘Rhea’.

The new Hibiscus plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Sabro, Denmark. The objective of thebreeding program is to create new strong Hibiscus plants with attractiveand long-lasting flowers.

The new Hibiscus plant originated from a cross-pollination in August,2008 in Sabro, Denmark of a proprietary selection of Hibiscusrosa-sinensis identified as code designation GB 83x39 H.3, not patented,as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Hibiscusrosa-sinensis identified as code designation GB 2007-0659, not patented,as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hibiscus plant was discoveredand selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny ofthe stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment inSabro, Denmark in May, 2009.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hibiscus plant by vegetative terminalcuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Sabro, Denmark sinceSeptember, 2010 has shown that the unique features of this new Hibiscusplant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hibiscus have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Rhea’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Rhea’ as a new and distinct Hibiscus plant:

-   -   1. Upright, mounding and bushy plant habit.    -   2. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   3. Uniform and freely flowering habit.    -   4. Large bright orange-colored flowers with dark red-colored        centers.    -   5. Excellent flower longevity.    -   6. Relatively resistant to bacterial leafspot.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the femaleparent selection. Plants of the new Hibiscus differ primarily fromplants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Hibiscus are glossier than leaves        of plants of the female parent selection.    -   2. Flowers of plants of the new Hibiscus are longer-lasting than        flowers of plants of the female parent selection.    -   3. Plants of the new Hibiscus are more resistant to bacterial        leafspot than plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the male parentselection. Plants of the new Hibiscus differ primarily from plants ofthe male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Hibiscus are darker green in        color than leaves of plants of the male parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Hibiscus are more freely flowering than        plants of the male parent selection.    -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Hibiscus are longer-lasting than        flowers of plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the Hibiscusrosa-sinensis ‘Adonis’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,592. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Hibiscus differ from plantsof ‘Adonis’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Flowers of plants of the new Hibiscus are long-lasting than        flowers of plants of ‘Adonis’.    -   2. Plants of the new Hibiscus and ‘Adonis’ differ in flower        color as plants of ‘Adonis’ have dark pink-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the Hibiscusrosa-sinensis ‘Boreas’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,618. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Hibiscus differ from plantsof ‘Boreas’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hibiscus are not as vigorous as plants of        ‘Boreas’.    -   2. Plants of the new Hibiscus and ‘Boreas’ differ in flower        color as plants of ‘Boreas’ have pale yellow-colored flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Hibiscus plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Hibiscus plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘Rhea’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of typicaldeveloping flower buds and a typical open flower of ‘Rhea’.

The photograph on the third sheet is a close-up view of a typicaldissected flower of ‘Rhea’ showing the upper surfaces of the petals.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurementsand values describe plants grown during the autumn in 17-cm containersin a glass-covered greenhouse in Sabro, Denmark and under culturalpractices typical of commercial Hibiscus production. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 25° C.,night temperatures ranged from 19° C. to 21° C. and light levels rangedfrom 40 to 50 klux. Plants were pinched one time nine weeks afterplanting and plants were 26 weeks old when the photographs and thedescription were taken. In the description, color references are made toThe Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except wheregeneral terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Rhea’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hibiscus            rosa-sinensis identified as code number GB 83x39 H.3, not            patented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Proprietary selection of Hibiscus            rosa-sinensis identified as code number GB 2007-0659, not            patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About three weeks at ambient            and soil temperatures about 24° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About four weeks at ambient            and soil temperatures about 24° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About eight            weeks at ambient and soil temperatures about 24° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About ten            weeks at ambient and soil temperatures about 24° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fleshy; color, close            to 158A, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation,            substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Container plant; upright, mounding            and bushy plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit with usually about            four to six lateral branches developing per plant; pinching            enhances lateral branch development.        -   Plant height.—About 35 cm to 55 cm.        -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 30 cm to 50 cm.-   Lateral branch description:    -   -   Length.—About 5 cm to 25 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 3 mm to 6 mm.        -   Internode length.—About 1 cm to 5 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous; becoming woody with development.        -   Color, developing.—Close to 147A.        -   Color, developed.—Close to N199A.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, single; numerous.        -   Length.—About 8 cm to 12 cm.        -   Width.—About 6 cm to 10 cm.        -   Shape.—Broadly ovate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cordate, rounded.        -   Margin.—Irregularly serrate.        -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; somewhat leathery.        -   Texture, lower surface.—Scattered pubescence; venation            prominent.        -   Luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Moderately glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate; arcuate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 136B.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 137B. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to N189A; venation,            close to N138A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close            to 136B; venation, close to 139B.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 2 cm to 5 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm.            Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent. Color, upper            surface: Close to 139A. Color, lower surface: Close to 147A.        -   Leaf stipules.—Quantity and arrangement: Two at the base of            the petiole, opposite. Length: About 5 mm. Diameter: About            1 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Color, upper and lower surfaces:            Close to 199A.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower arrangement.—Flowers arranged singly at terminal leaf            axils; uniform, continuous and freely flowering habit with            numerous flowers developing per plant; flowers face mostly            upright to slightly outwardly.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants flower in the garden during            the spring and summer or during periods of warm weather; in            the greenhouse, plants can be flowered year-round; plants            begin flowering about 12 to 16 weeks after pinching.        -   Flower longevity.—Excellent flower longevity, flowers last            for about four to five days; flowers persistent.        -   Flower diameter.—About 12 cm to 19 cm.        -   Flower length (height).—About 8 cm to 9 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Rate of opening: Flowers buds open in about            three days. Length: About 5 cm to 7 cm. Diameter: About 1.5            cm to 3 cm. Shape: Ovoid to elliptical. Aspect: Mostly            upright. Color: Close to N34C.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Five petals in a single whorl; petals            imbricate. Length: About 8 cm to 10 cm. Width: About 6 cm to            8 cm. Shape: Fan-shaped. Apex: Rounded. Base: Attenuate.            Margin: Entire; slightly undulate. Texture, upper surface:            Glabrous; rough with a velvety appearance. Texture, lower            surface: Glabrous, rough with a satiny appearance. Luster,            upper surface: Matte. Luster, lower surface: Slightly            glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 28B;            towards the base, close to 53A. When opening, lower surface:            Close to 29A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to N30B;            towards the base, close to 46B; with development, main color            becoming closer to 28A and towards the base, close to 53B;            venation, close to 54C. Fully opened, lower surface: Close            to 30B; towards the base, close to 64D; with development,            color becoming closer to 29A and towards the base, close to            35B; venation, close to 29A.        -   Sepals.—Appearance: Five sepals fused into a            campanulate-shaped calyx. Length: About 3 cm to 4 cm. Width:            About 1 cm to 1.5 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acuminate.            Margin: Entire. Texture, upper surface: Glabrous, rough.            Texture, lower surface: Glabrous, smooth. Color, upper            surface: Close to 143A. Color, lower surface: Close to 143C.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 3 cm to 5 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm            to 4 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Mostly upright. Texture:            Sparsely pubescent. Color: Close to 137A.        -   Involucral bracts.—Quantity and arrangement: About six in a            single whorl subtending the calyx and forming a star-shaped            epicalyx. Length: About 1 cm to 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm            to 5 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire.            Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Rough, glabrous. Color,            upper and lower surfaces: Close to 147A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen number: Numerous,            more than 100. Filament length: About 3 mm. Filament color:            Close to 47C. Anther shape: Round to ovate. Anther length:            About 1 mm to 2 mm. Anther color: Close to 20A. Amount of            pollen: Abundant. Pollen color: Close to 20A. Gynoecium:            Pistil length: About 6 cm to 8 cm. Staminal column texture:            Smooth, waxy. Staminal column color: Close to 47C; towards            the base, close to 53A. Style length: Five-parted, about 5            mm to 6 mm. Style color: Close to 4C. Stigma appearance:            Five rounded stigma pads. Stigma pad color: Close to 44A.            Ovary color: Close to 4C.        -   Seeds.—To date, seed production has not been observed on            plants of the new Hibiscus.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hibiscus have been observed    to have tolerate temperatures from about 10° C. to about 40° C.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Hibiscus have been    observed to relatively resistant to bacterial leafspot (Xanthomonas    campestris and Phytomonas syringae). Plants of the new Hibiscus not    been observed to be resistant to pests and other pathogens common to    Hibiscus plants.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hibiscus plant named ‘Rhea’ asillustrated and described.